BLC Conservation Easement Landowner Guide

PART 6: LANDOWNER STORIES
ARTHUR & STACI HANCOCK
Since Arthur Hancock purchased his first farm in the 1970s, he has seen many of the
neighboring farms change hands, some being sold off as smaller parcels. He could
have done the same, and for a big profit, but he had other ideas. The farm is part of
their family history and the family wanted to keep it safe for the future.
“
So over the past five decades, Arthur has invested in the land. The rolling fields, dotted
with patches of woodlands and meandering creeks, are home to the Hancocks’
thoroughbred horses and beef cattle. They also produce high quality hay, corn, and
soybeans.
“The kids and I have been talking about the possibility of conserving the farm for
several years now. Staci and I realized that if you don’t conserve your land, who will?
Future generations will be able to live on the land and farm it in a way that makes
sense to them,” Arthur said. “And even if they want to sell it, the property will always be
protected from development.”
“Sometimes farmers may think that by
conserving your land, you can’t do
anything with it,” remarked Arthur.
“That’s not the case. These
conservation agreements are flexible
and you can farm and change your
farming practices. You can build
related barns and farm buildings.
I really don’t think this hampers
farming at all. It protects farming.”
Conservation runs in the family. Arthur
and Staci’s family isn’t the only one in
Bourbon County interested in making
sure their farm stays a farm. Arthur’s
siblings, Seth, Dell, and Clay
Hancock, conserved their equine
and cattle operation on Claiborne
Farm, just a few miles down the road,
in 2011.
IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THE LAND, THE
LAND WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU
“
33